Container and seal therefor



2 Sheets-Sheet l INV ENTQR.

J. E. ROACH CONTAINER AND SEAL THEREFOR Filed Sept. 19, 1940 Oct. 6,1942.

- J. E. ROACH v CONTAINER AND SEAL THEREFOR Uct. 6, 1942.

Filed Sept. 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .FEZ-G6. 40454639 46 44 47 M5555 T)9o/10H. A INVENTOR A TxoRA/Eys.

` Patented Oct. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER AND SEALTHEREFOR Jesse E. Roach, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application September 19, 1940, Serial No. 357,339'

2 claims. (ci. 22o-5.1)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in containers andmore particularly it pertains to that type of container employed as acommercial package for foods and other substances.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a container of theaforementioned type which is constructed from paper, light cardboard, orsimilar materials which container will possess characteristics whichrender this type of container capable 'of use for purposes for whichthey have been heretofore not practical. l

A feature of the invention resides in a novel construction of containerbody by which greater rigidity and hence greater strength in the sidewalls of the container body is obtained thany is possible of attainmentin containers of this type with which I am familiar.

Another feature of the novel construction of container body abovementioned, resides in the ease and facility with which the several partsmay be assembled to form the container body.

Still a further feature of the invention residesin a novel constructionof bottom closing wall for the container body.

A still further feature of the invention resides in a novel closure,-cap for the container and its use in connection with a sealing mediumwhereby an air-tight joint between the container and its closing cap maybe obtained.

A still further feature of the invention resides in a novel means forretaining the closure cap in closure sealing position upon the containerand which will permit of subsequent use of the closure cap as acontainer cover, after the container has been opened by rupturing of theseal. g Other features of the invention will appear as Figure 7 is asectional view illustrating one step in the method of manufacture of thecontainer body.

A container constructed in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a body portion I0, a closing cap I I and a bottom closing capI2.

The body portion I0 of the container is formed with tapering side walls,the upper end of the container having a larger diameter than lip loweror bottom end.

The body portion III of the container is formed of two elements I3 andIl which are adhesively attached one to the other. The elements I3 andIl are in the form of blanks formed from paper,

light cardboard or similar material and their specific constructions,together with the manner in which they are formed, will be hereinaftermore specifically described.

One of the blanks from which the main body portion I0 of the containeris formed is illustrated in Figure 5 and while it isv not absolutelyessential to the successful practicing of the invention, it is desirablethat said blanks of which there are two be of the identica orm with thesingle exception that one of @th ks is slightly shorter in length thanis the other.

Each blank comprises a main body portion I5 .having curved parallel sideedges I6 and I1,

the side edge I6 being shorter than the side edge I'l to produce thetapering Walls of the container I0 when Vthe blanks are rolled intocylindrical form. Y

The end edges of the blanks are of irregular form. In the presentillustrationof the inventhe nature of theinvention is better understoodand reference will now be had to the following specification and claimsand to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a container constructed in accordancewith the present invention,

Figure 2 is a Vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale takenVsubstantially on the line ,2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the closure cap ofthe container and the manner in which it is retained in position uponthe container, l

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyon the'line 4 4 of Figure2,

Figure 5 is a, plan View of one of the blanks employed in themanufacture of the container body,

Figure 6 is a perspective View partly in section illustrating the bandemployed for retain"- ing the closure cap in container closing andsealing position, and; Y f

tion, the end edges are sinuous in form throughout the major portion' oftheir length and preferably terminate at each end in a straight lineportion I8. The sinuous portion of the end"edges are formed withalternately disposed connected curved portionsv I 9 which formprojections 20 and recesses 2| which are so arranged that when theblanks are rolled into cylindrical form, the projections of one end willbe received in intertting relation within the recesses of the other endto form continuous inner and outer sur-- faces with a sinuous seamforming the connection -between the ends of each blank.

In forming the container body, the blanks are disposed one within theother, the shorter of the two blanks being disposed within the longerblank preferably with its sinuous seam, which connects its end edges,out of registration with the sinuous seam connecting the end edges ofthe outer blanks.

As heretofore stated the two blanks are adhesively secured togetherwhich construction provides a body portion of substantially integral orunitary structure and this result is obtained in the following manner.

One of the blanks is coated upon that face which contacts the otherblank with a suitable inner face of the outer blank I4 or the outer faceof the inner blank I3 may be coated. After the coating has been appliedthe outer blank I4 is rolled into cylindrical form with the projectionsand recesses of its end edges in intertting relation as best illustratedin Figure 1, and in said cylindrical form, the blank is placed within aheating element 30 as illustrated in Figure 7.

' After this has been done, the inner blank I3 is similarly rolled intocylindrical form and inserted within the blank I4 in the heatingelemeni-l 30 after which a plunger such as 3| is inserted into theheating element and into engagement with the inner face of the innerblank I3 under suil'icient pressure to force the two blanks intocontacting engagement with each other throughout the surfaces of theirmeeting faces. The heat provided by the heating element reacts upon thethermoplastic coating heretofore described, effecting an adhesionbetween the blanks I3 and I4 throughout the area of their contactingfaces and forming them into a substantially integral and unitarystructure.

As heretofore stated, the sinuous seams which are designated 32 in thedrawings are arranged in offset relation to each other and it will beapparent that a container body constructed as described will bepossessed of considerable resistance to said pressure since by formingthe seams 32 in an irregular manner and staggering them with relation toeach other, the container body will be possessed with no direct weakpoint as would result were the blanks connected at their ends bystraight seams.

The thermoplastic sealing composition employed lto effect adhesion ofthe two blanks may be applied by spraying or in any other desired mannerandit has been found in actual practice that if the sealing medium beapplied to the paper or material from which the blank is cut and theblank cut with dies, the rdie cutting action will cause thethermoplastic composition to be drawn over the end edges of the blank insuiiicient quantity to effect adhesion of the end edges of the blankunder the influence of the heat applied in the body forming operation.

The closure cap I I and the bottom closing cap I2 are of substantiallythe same form as far as constructionis concerned. Each is providedadjacent its peripheral edge with an outwardly struck continuous bead 33and an inwardly struck annular bead 33" which construction not onlyprovides a reinforcement for the caps but'l also provides two innerannular channels 34 and 34 for the reception of a suitable sealingmedium 354 by which the caps may be secured to the container. The capsare drawn from circular blanks of material by any well known process andare so formed that the excess material taken; from the circle during thedrawing operation is pressed `and folded on the outer face of the ange3B in Y thermoplastic composition, for example either the y The bottomclosing cap is entirely coated with vinyl resin coating which not onlyserves to render the same moisture-proof, but under the in Iluence ofheat, developes adhesive qualities which serve. to secure the bottomclosing cap permanently to the bottom end of the container.

the form of a plurality of ribs 31, leaving theI inner face 38 of theflange 36 substantially smooth. The purpose of these features will behereinafter more clearly set forth. I

The closure cap I I is moisture proofed by coating its entire outersurface including the outer surface of the flange 36 with a moistureproof coating having thermoplastic characteristics of which vinyl resinis one good example, while its entire inner surface is coated with a`suitable'f moisturel proofing acetate compound which isnot possessed ofthermoplastic characteristics.

The sealing medium heretofore mentioned is preferably in the form ofvirgin latex in that form commonly used in the sealing of containers andno particular claim is made to its use as a sealing medium in connectionwith the present invention.

After the body portion has been formed in the manner heretoforedescribed, it is completely covered with a suitable coating to renderthe same moisture proof. may be applied in any desired manner such asspraying, dipping or the like and completely covers all exposed surfacesof the body portion` After the body portion has been moisture proofed,its smaller end is inserted into the bottom closing cap I2 to which thevirgin latex seal 35 has been previously applied and placed within asuitablemold or the like not shown. Application of slight pressuretogether with the application of heat, secures the two parts together bythe vinyl resin compound with which the cap is coated, and virgin latexsealing medium forming a liquid-tight joint between the edge of thecontainer body and the bottom closing cap I2.

The bottom wall cap having been placed upon the container, it may be nowlled and the closure cap applied which is accomplished in the followingmanner.

The closure cap II to which the latex sealing medium has been applied isplaced in position upon the upper end of the container while in the moldheretofore mentioned, and slight pressure together with a proper amountof heat to effect a seal between the top edge of the container and thelatex sealing medium is applied.

It-will be remembered that the interior surface of the closure cap IIVvis coated with an acetate compound which has no thermoplasticqualities and consequently, the depending flange of the closure cap willnot adhere to the container body where it contacts the outer surfacethereof.

This feature is important sincevit permits of use of the closure cap asa cover for the container after its sealing means has been broken, afeature not common in sealed containers formed of paper or similarmaterial.

Means is provided to retain the closure cap in its sealed condition uponthe end of the container and yet permit of its removal therefrom withoutdamage thereto and this means will now be described.

The cover retaining means comprises a continuous band 40 whichy isformed from paper or `similar material. The retaining band 40 has twodiametersv4| and 42 separated by a shoulder 43, the diameter 4I being ofsmaller dimension than the'diameter 42 as best illustrated in Figure 6.

The continuous band being formed, the two diameters 4Iv and 42 and thevshoulder 43 may l be formed by steam pressing the band in a suitablemold. l

The band 40 is formed with a tear section 44 'which terminates in a freetab 45 by which the 'I'he moisture proofing coating base of the tab Iwhich is formed by cutting entirely through the band 40 upon the lines4B.

The `application of heat, as aforementioned, develops the sealingcharacteristics of the sealing medium 35 and the adhesivecharacteristics of the vinyl resin coating of the band 40.

The sealing medium 35 forms a tightly sealed joint between the upperedge of the container body and the closure cap while the vinyl resincompound with which the retaining band 40 is coated forms a tightlysealed joint between the edge or the flange and the container body.

By reason of the ribs 34 of roughened surface upon the outer face of theflange of the closure cap, the band 40 will have contact only with theribs 31 or projections of the roughened surface.

This feature is important since it facilitates the removal of the tearsection M of the band l0.

While as above stated, the band lll engages only the. ribs 31 on theouter surface of the flange of the sealing cap, this in no way impairsthe sealing ofthe closure cap since a continuous seal therefor isobtained where the edge of its flange engages the shoulder 43 of theband 40. To remove the closure cap, it is only necessary to grasp thetab 45 ofthe tear section 4| and exert a slight pull thereon. Removal ofthe tear section opens the band permitting it to be ripped freely fromthe container leaving the closure cap free for removal except for therupturing of the latex seal 35 which is easily accomplished by givingthe closure cap a slight twist. This is true for the reason that thereis no seal between the ange of the sealing cap and the body since itwill be remembered that the acetate compound with which the innersurface of the sealing cap' vand its flange are coated, has nothermoplastic characteristics or qualities.

In the packing of certain commodities, it is necessary to provide avacuum within the container and this is generally accomplished after thecontainer has been packed and its closure placed thereon.

ing mediumI I5 which often results in -destroying the seal between theupper edge of the container body and the closure cap.

By reference to Figure 3 of the drawings, it will become apparent thatupon reduction of pressure upon the inside of the container it cannotpull the sealing medium from within the channel 3l, since it is lockedtherein by the edge of the container body.

In such cases, exhaustion of the air from the interior of the containerbody tends to draw the closure cap into more intimate contact with theupper edge of the container body which results in the upper edge of thecontainer body entering the annular channel in which it is actuallylocked between 4.the annular 33' and the iiange of the closure cap,

The band 40 is coated with the thermoplastic compound vinyl resinheretofore mentioned and' when sealed upon the container serves both toretain the closure cap upon the container and vto form a seal betweenthe closure cap and the container.

It will be understood that in sea ling the container, the container withthe band 40 placed thereon is inserted in a sealing mold and that theinnerwalls'of the sealing mold will have an annular seat t Vreceive theshoulder Il of the sealing ring.

With the container in position in the sealing mold, the closure cap isplaced in position upon the container if it has not been previouslyplaced and sealed thereon as heretofore described with its dependingflange within the portion of larger diameter thereof.

With the parts in the position Just described, pressure andVv heat areapplied to the top of the closure cap and heat is applied to the band40. Application of pressure forces the ange of the closure` cap and theshoulder of the band towards each other, causing the band to contractthe iiange of the closure cap into holding frictional engagement withthe container. After the band 40 has been forced along the containerbody to the position heretofore described, the closure cap is securelyretained upon the container by reason of the fact that its iiange hasbeen contracted to a dimetrical dimension' which is less than that ofthe larger end of the container and since the band 40 prevents spreadingor expansion of the flange of the closure cap, the closure cap will besecurely locked in position.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that :the present inventionprovides a new4 and improved construction of container and seal whichrenders it possible to employ relatively cheaper materials in theformation of the container.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a new and novel container in which the several recited objectsand features are accomplished.

The invention has been herein disclosed in its preferred form, but it isto be understood that it is not to be limited to the specific forminlwhich it is illustrated since it may as well be embodied in otherforms without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. A container of the type described comprising a body portion havingtapered side walls and a bottom, .a closure cap for closing the' openside of the container, a flange defining the peripheral edge of theclosure cap and overlying the side walls of the body portion in spacedrelation thereto when the closure cap is in closing position upon thebody portion, .and a continuous band of smaller diameter than thediameter of the closure cap slidable over said body portion lengthwisethereof, for contracting the flange of the closure cap to contract thesame and prevent withdrawal thereof from the container, said bandbridging the joint between the closure cap and the container body.

` side of the container, a flange defining the peripheral edge of theclosure cap and overlying the side walls of the body portion in spacedre-v lation thereto when the closure cap is in closing position upon thebody portion. spaced ribs extending transversely of the flange of theclosure cap, and a continuous band for contracting the flange lof theclosure cap t0 prevent withdrawal of the closure cap from the lend ofthe container body, said band having two different internal diameters,one for engagement with the container body and the other for 4ngagementwith the ribs only of the flange of the closure cap, and means foradhesively attaching said band to the container body and to the outerface and defining edge of the flange of the closure cap.

JESSE E. ROACH.

